The Role of Intermediate and Grassroots Levels in Conflict Transformation and Peacebuilding

This lecture focuses on the role of intermediate and grassroots levels in initiating and driving the conflict transformation and peacebuilding process. Lambert argues that civil society, including academics, bureaucrats, religious leaders, and NGO leaders, can be the initiators of the peace process if they have the trust and relations with top leaders and grassroots levels. The lecture emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive conflict analysis before initiating the peace process and the need to involve the grassroots level. The lecture critiques the prevalent 'liberal' model of peacebuilding and development and highlights the importance of local, indigenous, and insider methods of dealing with conflict. The lecture also discusses the different levels of action in peacebuilding, including top-level, mid-level, and grassroots leadership, and the unique role each level plays in the peacebuilding process. The lecture concludes by emphasizing the importance of an integrated approach to peacebuilding that involves all levels of action.